Obituaries

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Kathleen A. Szakelyhidi, 72

Mrs. Kathleen A. Szakelyhidi, 72, of Franklin Township passed away on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 at the Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver. Kathleen was born on June 23rd, 1950 in New Castle to the late Clyde E. and Ethel (McKinney) Miller. She graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1968, and from the Butler County Community College where she studied nursing. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for various hospitals and nursing homes in the area, including, Providence in Beaver Falls, Evergreen Nursing Home, Jamison Care Center, Hillview Manor, and the Ellwood City Hospital, from where…


Kathryn “Kate” Elizabeth, 32

Kathryn Elizabeth Dillon, 32, of North Sewickley Twp., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at the Heritage Valley Medical Center, Beaver on Monday, November 7 after an extended illness. Born on December 12, 1989 in Annapolis, Maryland, Kate was the daughter of Elaine Ann (Keul) Geisel and Matthew Roy Dillon. After graduating from Riverside Beaver County High School in 2008, Kate earned a B.A. in social work from Malone University of Canton, Ohio in 2012. As a 16-year cancer survivor, Kate took great pleasure and joy in her faith and in being with family and friends. She relished her…


Connie S. Tetmire, 63

Connie S. Tetmire, 63, of Ellwood City passed away Saturday, November 5, 2022 at her residence following a brief illness, surrounded by loved ones. Born May 14, 1959 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late David “John” and Helen Rabosky McLaughlin. She was married to Gustave “Hutch” Tetmire for 35 years when he passed away on June 9, 2020. Connie had graduated from Lincoln in 1977. She worked for the Ellwood City Hospital in the Dietary Department for over 40 years. Connie was a member of Divine Grace Parish in Ellwood City. Some of her interests were…


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David A. Kondrasuk, 55

David A. Kondrasuk, 55, of Ellwood City passed away November 3, 2022, at his home. He was the son of the late Jack and Shermanetta (Young) Kondrasuk and was born November 8, 1966, in Ellwood City. He is survived by his sister; Carol A. Kondrasuk of Bradenton, FL., two nieces; Shannon Myers and her husband Rick of Ellwood City, and Dr. Ivy Frederick (Chris Devido), and many great nieces, nephews, and friends. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School, and he was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ellwood City. Most of all David enjoyed going…


Milton D. Ippolito, 76

Milton D. Ippolito, 76, of Wampum passed away Thursday, November 3, 2022 at AHN Grove City following a short illness. Born March 19, 1946 in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late Jacob A. and Betty J. Powell Ippolito. He was married to Karen Kennedy Ippolito in 1967. Milton had graduated from Lincoln High School in 1964. Milt was employed by the B&W and then was the Owner and Operator of Wampum Sport and Cycle. He was a full time National Guardsman retiring as Master Sergeant from the 107th Field Artillery. From 1992-2002 he was maintenance support of…


Barbara C. Grinnen, 63

Barbara Cippel Grinnen, 63, of Wampum (formerly of Ford City) passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022 after a long courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Born December 24, 1958 in Ford City, PA, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Martha Beno Cippel. She was married to James R. “Tex” Grinnen. Barb graduated from Ford City High School in 1977. Then she attended Seton Hill and Penn State University where she earned a master’s degree in dietetics. She was employed at UPMC Jameson Hospital for over 41 years as a dietitian. Survivors include her husband of 35 years James;…


Vicky Elaine Grant, 56

Vicky Elaine Grant, 56, of North Sewickley Township passed away Sunday October 30, 2022 at Heritage Valley – Beaver following a heart attack. Born October 18, 1966 in Riverhead, NY. She was married to Timothy Sickelsmith for 19 years. Vicky loved all kinds of animals, especially White Tigers. She met her husband Tim while working for Animal Control in McKee’s Rocks. She loved cooking shows, Q.V.C., trying new recipes, and learning about Native American Culture and History. She was a descendent of Ulysses S. Grant. Survivors include her husband Tim; sister-in-law, Cynthia Grimm; brother-in-law, Raymur (Tracy) Sickelsmith, and a number…


Patricia A. (Reese) Vargo, 92

Patricia A. (Reese) Vargo passed away on October 29, 2022, at Trinity Oaks Personal Care Center, in North Sewickley Twp. She was born July 17, 1930, in Ellwood City. She is survived by her children; Gary and his wife Mary of Waldorf, MD, Cynthia “Cindy” Vargo of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Leslie Vargo of West Palm Beach, FL, grandchildren; John Vargo of New Oxford, PA, Thomas Vargo and his wife Rachael of San Antonio, TX, Meghan Carcaise of Marianna, FL, three great-grandchildren; Amelya, Ethan and Ava, one sister-in-law; Sue Reese of Ellwood City, as well as many nieces and nephews….


Edward P. Zikeli, 99

Edward P. Zikeli, 99, formerly of Ellwood City passed away Friday, October 28, 2022, at the Providence Care Center following a brief illness. Born November 19, 1922, in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late John and Helen Blose Zikeli. He was married to his first wife Eleanor Zikeli when she passed away in 1996. He then married Janice Kellner Smith, and they were married until she passed away in 2017. Edward served as a Medic during WWII in Japan. He was retired from US Steel and also worked various odd jobs throughout the area. He was a…


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Gregory Lyn Shaffer, 76

Gregory Lyn Shaffer, 76 of Hickory Township passed away at his residence on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 6:15 A.M. Born in Ellwood City on June 16, 1946, Gregory was the son of the late Theodore and Elta Voland Shaffer.  Gregory was a welder at Kasgro Rail in New Castle and a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory.